This study assesses the impact of armed conflict on the lives of women. It identifies the core needs of women during situations of armed conflict (such as physical safety, access to health care, adequate food and shelter) and explores the associated problems faced by women along with the coping mechanisms employed by women themselves and aid agencies/organizations. The study includes a thorough analysis of international humanitarian law and, to a lesser extent, human rights and refugee law, as a way of assessing the protection afforded to women through these bodies of law.